Adjustable reusable garment bag

ABSTRACT

An improved, highly efficient, readily-accessible, easily manipulated, adjustable, reusable protective polyethylene (preferred embodiment) garment bag. The garment bag&#39;s bottom front panel is higher than the opposing back panel. A releasable pressure sensitive closure strip is attached at the bottom edge of the inside back panel. The closure strip is peeled back exposing a resealable pressure sensitive adhesive. The bottom end of the adhesive backed panel is positioned to the desired level of adjustment on the front panel and adhered to the outside of the opposing front panel using light fintertip pressure. The hanging garment is secured inside the bag by adhering the adhesive backed panel to the outside of the opposing front panel. The level of placement of the adhesive backed panel creates a fold in the bag that should be at or near the hem or bottom of the hanging garment enclosed within the bag.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/699,602, filed Jul. 18, 2005, for ADJUSTABLE REUSABLE GARMENT BAG, by Betty G. Phillips, Michael D. Phillips, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to . . . a protective garment bag and, more particularly, to . . . an adjustable and reusable garment bag, polyethylene preferred embodiment, with a closure system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garment protectors which take the form of envelopes or bags are extensively used by retail establishments and frequently used as packaging upon retail sales to a consumer. Said garment protectors are mounted on conventional garment hangers and are transported from one destination such as a retail establishment to a second destination such as the consumer's home.

The use of transparent plastic bags for the protection of garments and other such articles has become a widely utilized technique. These bags are now most conveniently supplied in roll form in a continuous series from which the individual bags can be successively detached for easy use. One particular method which has proved eminently successful is a method according to which a garment is suspended in vertical disposition and the foremost bag of a series drawn down over the same and subsequently detached An example of such a bagging procedure is contained in U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,235 to Levy et al.

In use, as is well known to workers in the garment manufacturing trade, the garment protector is placed over the suspended garment, and the suspension element (i.e., the stem or hook) of the garment hanger extends through the opening at the apex of the garment protector. The inclined seams at the shoulder-enclosing portion of the garment protector directly rest upon the garment such as a shirt or jacket. However, if slacks or skirts are suspended from the conventional garment hanger, the inclined seams will rest upon the downwardly sloping portions of the garment hanger. In commercial applications, the protectors are supplied on rolls, with individual garment protectors removed from the roll at the times an individual protector is needed.

While the present invention is simple in construction, easy to use and effective in its protection, it is not entirely satisfactory. Five commonly used methods in the art of securing the garment bag's bottom are: (1) leaving the bottom of the bag entirely open which creates potential of enclosed garment falling thru open bottom, (2) excess trailing bag if bottom of bag is open and enclosed garment does not fill entire space within the bag 3) knotting the garment bag at the bottom which narrows and tapers the enclosed garment thus mussing and wrinkling the garment. This practice also creates the possibility of longer garments such as floor length dresses and skirts being accidently tied within the knot. (4) “tying and looping” i.e., tying the garment bag at the bottom then raising the tied bottom and looping the knot over the protruding hanger/hook. This compromises the shape and integrity of the enclosed garment and causes mussing and wrinkling at the level of the fold. It is not aesthetically appealing and has the appearance of being “jerry rigged,” (5) tying the bottom of the garment bag with a single tight knot allowing excess bag material to hang below the tied knot. The tight knot is difficult to untie and many times the only method of removal results in the destruction of the polyethylene garment bag by puncturing or tearing it open to gain access to the garment within.

Inventors of the Adjustable Reusable Garment Bag referenced patents and found U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,106, King et al. Oct. 25, 1994, The Garment Bag with Overlapping Closure Flaps. This patent's garment bag has a system for sealing the bottom of flexible garment bags.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,106, King et al. (The Garment Bag with Overlapping Closure Flaps) has a system for sealing the bottom of flexible garment bags, but is primarily designed to be a gift wrapper. It is not length adjustable and is not highly efficient.

It is therefore an object of the invention to . . . provide a garment bag that is adjustable in length, eliminating knots at the bottom of the bag or open, trailing bottoms. The Adjustable Reusable Garment Bag greatly minimizes mussing and wrinkling and does not compromise the shape of the garment enclosed within.

It is another object of the invention to . . . provide a garment bag that is readily-accessible, reusable and resealable.

It is another object of the invention to . . . provide a garment bag that is easy to manipulate at point of sale. The Adjustable Reusable Garment Bag eliminates open bottoms and the method of tightly knotting the bottom. It also eliminates the “tie and loop” method commonly used by sales clerks in higher end retail establishments. This newly designed garment bag has clean lines and is aesthetically appealing.

It is another object of the invention to . . . provide retail customers with a “one size fits all” garment bag and one that is easier to transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided . . . an improved, highly efficient, easily manipulated, adjustable and reusable protective polyethylene (preferred embodiment) garment bag. The garment bag's bottom front panel is higher than the opposing back panel. A releasable, reusable pressure sensitive closure strip is attached at the bottom edge of the inside back panel. The closure strip is peeled back exposing a releasable, reusable pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesived bottom end of the back panel can be brought up over the hem or bottom of the enclosed garment at a desired level on the front panel and secured by applying light fingertip pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bag embodying the invention with a reusable pressure sensitive closure strip located at the bottom edge of the inside back panel before any levels of adjustment have been made;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a bag embodying the invention with the reusable pressure sensitive closure strip located at the bottom edge of the inside back panel at the highest level of adjustment. Adjustments can be made anywhere on the front panel of the bag;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a bag embodying the invention with the reusable pressure sensitive closure strip located at the bottom edge of the inside back panel at the mid-level of adjustment. Adjustments can be made anywhere on the front panel of the bag; and

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a bag embodying the invention with the reusable pressure sensitive closure strip located at the bottom edge of the inside back panel at the lowest level of adjustment. Adjustments can be made anywhere on the front panel of the bag.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bag embodying the invention before any levels of adjustments have been made. The resusable pressure sensitive closure strip 20 is located at the bottom edge of the inside back panel 10 and encompasses the entire width of the back panel 10.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a bag embodying the invention with the reusable pressure sensitive closure strip 20 located at the bottom edge of the inside back panel 10 at the highest level of adjustment. Adjustments can be made anywhere on the front panel 22 of the bag to adjust to the bottom of the garment.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a bag embodying the invention with the reusable pressure sensitive closure strip 20 located at the bottom edge of the inside back panel 10 at the mid-level of adjustment. Adjustments can be made anywhere on the front panel 22 of the bag to adjust to the bottom of the garment.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a bag embodying the invention with the reusable pressure sensitive closure strip 20 located at the bottom edge of the inside back panel 10 at the lowest level of adjustment. Adjustments can be made anywhere on the front panel 22 of the bag to adjust to the bottom of the garment.

This invention provides a highly efficient, easily manipulated adjustable and reusable bag for garments, other products or textiles. It is capable of use for transporting garments from place of purchase to destination. It provides an enclosure featuring a readily-accessible, resealable, reusable, adjustable bottom.

The polyethylene (preferred embodiment) garment protector can also be used to enclose other textiles or goods that may be stored, shipped or sold in hanging form.

The blown film extrusion process, well-known and widely used, is suited to the production of this integral bag unit. Low-density polyethylene (preferred embodiment) is one of the extruding plastic materials adapted for use in this process. The gusset folds along the vertical side edges thereof are formed during the extrusion process. This formation occurs when a pair of opposed, upstanding die elements apply inwardly directed pressure during the curing operation while the bag is inflated during the blown film process.

FIG. 1 illustrates one form of an elongated envelope 18 embodying the invention which includes a front panel 22 and a back panel 10. Preferably, the garment protector is made of polythene, usually low-density polyethylene. The front and back panels are integrally formed with connecting edge closure gussets. The top edges of the front and back panels have a top apex crease which is provided with a slit opening through which the hook of a garment hanger can be extended.

The material is a flexible plastic film, such as low-density polyethylene, which is sufficiently strong to prevent tearing around the opening when the hanger hook is extended therethrough with a garment hanging on the hanger. The garment protector may be transparent in order to determine the contents of the garment protected or the garment protector may be opaque in order to conceal its contents.

The garment bag includes a reusable pressure sensitive closure strip 20 located at the bottom edge of the inside back panel 10. The bottom of the front panel 22 is higher than the back panel 10. After the pressure sensitive closure strip 20 is peeled to expose a releasable and reusable pressure sensitive adhesive, the bottom end of the opposing back panel 10 can be positioned to the desired level of adjustment and adhered to the outside of the opposing front panel 22 using light fingertip pressure. The purpose is to secure the hanging garment inside the bag by adhering the panel with the adhesive to the outside of the opposing panel. The level of placement of the panel with the adhesive creates a fold 14 in the bag that should be at or near the hem or bottom of the hanging garment enclosed within the bag.

FIG. 1 illustrates the garment bag with the reusable pressure sensitive closure strip 20 located at the bottom edge of the inside back panel 10 before any levels of adjustments have been made.

FIG. 2 illustrates how the garment bag can be raised and lowered to the desired levels by adhering the adhesived back panel 10 to the outside of the opposing front panel 22, thus creating a fold 14 in the bag that should be at or near the hem or bottom of garment 16 enclosed within the bag.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and variations shown and described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Therefore, various adaptations and modifications of its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangements of parts may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 

1. An adjustable reusable garment bag for protecting, transporting, and storing of garments, other products or textiles providing an adjustable and reusable closure system, comprising: means for sealing the garment inside of the garment bag; means for providing closure to the envelope bottom; means for containing and protecting a garment; means for creating a seal along entire width of back panel, affixed to said means for sealing the garment inside of the garment bag; and means for allowing placement of adhesive backed strip for purpose of adjustments, affixed to said means for containing and protecting a garment, and affixed to said means for sealing the garment inside of the garment bag.
 2. The adjustable reusable garment bag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for sealing the garment inside of the garment bag comprises a flexible back panel, having an adhesive backing.
 3. The adjustable reusable garment bag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing closure to the envelope bottom comprises an adjustable fold.
 4. The adjustable reusable garment bag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for containing and protecting a garment comprises a flexible envelope, having an opening.
 5. The adjustable reusable garment bag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for creating a seal along entire width of back panel comprises a resealable pressure sensitive closure strip.
 6. The adjustable reusable garment bag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for allowing placement of adhesive backed strip for purpose of adjustments comprises a flexible, elevated front panel.
 7. An adjustable reusable garment bag for protecting, transporting, and storing of garments, other products or textiles providing an adjustable and reusable closure system, comprising: a flexible back panel, having an adhesive backing, for sealing the garment inside of the garment bag; an adjustable fold, for providing closure to the envelope bottom; a flexible envelope, having an opening, for containing and protecting a garment; a resealable pressure sensitive closure strip, for creating a seal along entire width of back panel, affixed to said back panel; and a flexible, elevated front panel, for allowing placement of adhesive backed strip for purpose of adjustments, affixed to said envelope, and affixed to said back panel.
 8. The adjustable reusable garment bag as recited in claim 7, wherein said envelope is elongated.
 9. An adjustable reusable garment bag for protecting, transporting, and storing of garments, other products or textiles providing an adjustable and reusable closure system, comprising: a flexible back panel, having an adhesive backing, for sealing the garment inside of the garment bag; an adjustable fold, for providing closure to the envelope bottom; an elongated, flexible envelope, having an opening, for containing and protecting a garment; a resealable pressure sensitive closure strip, for creating a seal along entire width of back panel, affixed to said back panel; and a flexible, elevated front panel, for allowing placement of adhesive backed strip for purpose of adjustments, affixed to said envelope, and affixed to said back panel. 